Also remembering Miguel was his cousin George Clooney, who compared his loss to the monumental political shift occurring in the US with the inauguration of Donald Trump.

"Today history will mark giant changes in our world, and lost to most will be that on the same day Miguel Ferrer lost his battle to throat cancer," Clooney wrote. "But not lost to his family. Miguel made the world brighter and funnier and his passing is felt so deeply in our family that events of the day, (monumental events), pale in comparison. We love you Miguel. We always will."

Throughout his long career in both TV and film, he memorably voiced the evil warrior Shan Yu in Disney's Mulan, played the US vice president in Iron Man 3 and RoboCop's quirky designer.

Until his death, Miguel also had a recurring role as Assistant Director Owen Granger in CBS's hit procedural NCIS: Los Angeles.

Remembering his co-worker today, NCIS: Los Angeles showrunner R. Scott Gemmill said: "Today, NCIS: Los Angeles lost a beloved family member. Miguel was a man of tremendous talent who had a powerful dramatic presence on screen, a wicked sense of humour, and a huge heart. Our thoughts go out to his wife Lori, his sons, and his entire family. He will be greatly missed."

He is survived by his wife Lori, two sons and a large extended family. Below, we include tributes to the late Miguel Ferrer: